Chapter 12

Back at the Henderson family, Suzan and Kathryn stepped Inside only to see Barton, Suzan’s husband, and Kathryn’s father, descending the stairs, phone pressed to his ear, an expression of pure agitation etched upon his face.

“Mr. Tammy, didn’t we have everything Ironed out? We’ve nearly settled with the terms. Why on earth is Bright Group backing out now?”

Upon hearing those words, Suzan and Kathryn’s hearts skipped a beat. They exchanged a guilty glance, each seeing the other’s unease reflected.

Kathryn wanted to approach Barton and explain, but he shot her a stern look and waved a hand dismissively, signaling her to stay quiet.

Turning back to the call, he spoke with a strained, almost pleading tone. “Are we asking too much? Everything’s negotiable, you know. We can revisit the profit margins we initially proposed. I am keen on sealing this deal with Bright Group.”

Whatever response came from the other end of the line only seemed to make Barton’s muscles twitch with frustration. He then sighed heavily and collapsed onto the bench.

Suzan and Kathryn rushed over. “Barton, what happened? What’s going on?” Suzan asked.

Holding his head, Barton grumbled, “What’s going on? How should I know? Bright Group just called to drop the bomb that they’re pulling out of the deal. Why? Everything was going so smoothly!”

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed at Suzan. “Didn’t you take Kathryn to pay a courtesy visit to Janet? Did something happen there?”

Suzan’s heart pounded. Clearly, Barton was still in the dark about the truth. Kathryn tugged at her sleeve before she could attempt an explanation.

“Nothing happened, Dad. We didn’t even get to see Janet’s face.” Kathryn interjected, shooting Suzan a look that said, ‘Keep quiet about it.‘

Without further suspicion, Barton resumed his rumination. “Then why? The Bright Group would’ve been such an excellent partner. Our family business would’ve soared to new heights If we’d gotten that partnership! No, I can’t let this go so easily.”

With that, he rose and strode out the door, leaving Suzan and Kathryn behind.

Once Barton was out of earshot, Suzan turned to Kathryn. “Kathryn, what was that all about? The Bryant family calling off the deal might be because of that little bitch…”

“Mom!” Kathryn interrupted. “On the way back, I thought it over. Mr. Bryant never explicitly said Winnie was his daughter. We might have misunderstood.”

יי Kathryn couldn’t bear the thought of Winnie, their former ward, suddenly outranking them by being the lost daughter of the prestigious Bryant family.

1/4 “How could we misunderstand? Why would Mr. Bryant call off the partnership if Winnie isn’t his daughter? And why would the butler have spoken to us in that way ” Suzan believed Winnie must be the Bryant family’s long–lost daughter. Otherwise, it was too much of a coincidence.

“If that’s the case, I must come clean to your father. The Bryant family owes us for raising their daughter. A partnership is the least they could offer in return, not a cancellation!”

Kathryn tried to reassure her mother and herself. “Maybe Mr. Bryant was just upset by our visit. And the cancellation could be a coincidence. Business isn’t child’s play. It probably had nothing to do with our visit.”

Doubt began to creep into Suzan’s mind “You think so?”

“I’m sure of it.” Kathryn’s confidence was almost convincing as she checked her phone. “The group chat was buzzing about Miss Bryant. The Bryant family is hosting a party in two days to introduce her officially. If we can secure an invitation, we’ll see for ourselves.”

Suzan hesitated, considering the delicate situation with Bright Group.

Sensing her mother’s reluctance, Kathryn pressed on. “It’s our chance to clear up today’s misunderstanding if Winnie isn’t the Bryant family’s daughter. Dad might even salvage the deal. And if Mr. Bryant is there, he won’t be able to refuse us in person.”

She paused, then added with gritted teeth, “And if, by chance, Winnie is Miss Bryant, our family deserves recognition for raising her. She can’t just forget us now, can she?”

With Kathryn’s words, a light bulb went off in Suzan’s head. This situation could work to their advantage regardless of Winnie’s true identity. If Winnie turned out to be the long–lost daughter of the Bryant family, there was no way they could throw them out in front of the whole town. There would have to be some compensation, maybe a stake in a business deal or something. After all, they had raised the Bryant family’s kid.

Suzan’s mind raced with the possibilities. She clapped her hands in sudden excitement. “Leave the invitation to me. I’ll figure something out. Make sure to bring your dad, and you young lady, get yourself a couple of gorgeous dresses. You need to dazzle at the party the day after tomorrow.”

The Bryant family’s soiree was the talk of Emerald Bay, promising to be a grand party, the heirs. and heiresses of the local elite. It would be Kathryn’s debut in such a high society, and Suzan was sure her daughter would be the belle of the ball.

Kathryn blushed at her mother’s enthusiasm, snuggling closer to Suzan, secretly sharing her mother’s cunning thoughts.

Unaware of the Henderson family’s scheming, Winnie spent her evening under the guidance of Leonie, who finally showed her to her new room.

It was a spacious suite on the third floor, whimsically decorated to every child’s fantasy. complete with a divided inner and outer room. The outer space was all toys and gifts, crowding 16:37 every corner.

There was even a baby carriage among the items.

“This was supposed to be your nursery,” explained Leonie, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “Your brother kept it all these years. I thought it was too childlike and planned on setting up a different room for you. We planned to repaint and redecorate it before moving you in, but that might upset you. Please don’t hold it against me.”

Leonie reached out, a warm smile on her face, intending to link arms with Winnie, who subtly dodged her advance.

“No, I won’t.” Winnie replied, her voice neutral.

Leonie’s smile stiffened at Winnie’s indifferent response. She gave a few more instructions. then turned to leave, closing the door behind her. When she was alone, the warm facade vanished from her face, replaced with a shadowy glint in her eyes as she gazed back at the door.

16:37 every corner.

There was even a baby carriage among the items.

“This was supposed to be your nursery,” explained Leonle, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “Your brother kept it all these years. I thought it was too childlike and planned on setting up at different room for you. We planned to repaint and redecorate it before moving you in but that might upset you. Please don’t hold it against me ”

Leonie reached out, a warm smile on her face, intending to link arms with Winnie, who subtly dodged her advance.

“No, I won’t.” Winnie replied, her voice neutral.

Leonie’s smile stiffened at Winnie’s indifferent response. She gave a few more instructions then turned to leave, closing the door behind her. When she was alone, the warm facade vanished from her face, replaced with a shadowy glint in her eyes as she gazed back at the door.